Residents, activists talk green homes

Attendees suggest individual efforts for sustainable houses

By COLE REYNOLDS the daily northwestern @charcole27

Local climate groups and the city hosted a gathering Saturday morning about educating people on renewable energy in their homes. The event spotlighted individual actions instead of government initiatives.

As Evanston pursues climate projects like an energy-efficient animal shelter, Saturday’s gathering focused on smaller-scale improvements, from replacing stoves and heating units to installing home solar panels. There, climate experts presented ways for every Evanston home to become more sustainable and affordable.

“These kinds of actions are both good for the earth and good for the consumer,” said Scott Allen, environmental outreach coordinator of Citizens Utility Board, during a presentation at the event.

Four years into implementing its Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, Evanston has reduced its carbon emissions by 38% from 2005 levels, according to the city’s Sustainability and Resilience Manager Cara Pratt. But she said there is more to those numbers than meets the eye.

Pratt said a significant amount of that reduction is due to renewable energy credits, where the city purchases credit for surplus climate improvements made in other areas. Evanston’s use of natural gas, she said, has barely deviated from its original starting point.

“From 20 years (ago), we’ve made no real progress in reducing our emissions from natural gas,” Pratt said.

Many of the home sustainability improvements presented by Allen focused on reducing use of natural gas in residential properties. Allen suggested replacing gas ranges with induction cooktops, as well as using geothermal or air-source heat

» See CLIMATE ACTION, page 6

By ALIYA BEKSHENOVA

Mas Salud, a Latin fusion restaurant and bar, opened its doors in downtown Evanston for the first time last Friday.

Located across Oldberg Park on Clark Street, the restaurant is a six-minute walk from The Arch.

Two hours before their grand opening, co-Owners Ryan Aitelhadj and Jovanni Viveros were ready to see their long awaited vision come to life.

“We’ve had a lot of setbacks on this journey, and we completely remodeled this place,” Aitelhadj said “We’re very excited since we’ve been waiting for a year.”

The story of how Mas Salud came about is a long one, Aitelhadj said.

With a background in finance, Aitelhadj started a catering company out of his house after losing his job. He then opened a brick and mortar restaurant called Salud Kitchen with co-owner Michael Melnick, in 2021. Mas Salud, where Melnick is also a co-owner, is an off-shoot of Salud Kitchen, located in Portage Park, Chicago.

When Aitelhadj and Melnick announced the new restaurant on Instagram, they were looking for a chef — and Viveros reached out.

Viveros, who grew up in Veracruz, Mexico, learned many of the culinary skills he brings to the restaurant from his family members. He said he has been learning how to make food from scratch since he was a child.

“My mom and grandma taught me a lot about Mexican cuisine … and the kitchen always caught my attention,” explained Viveros.

The Mas Salud menu is largely Viveros’ creation.

The Evanston Police Department arrested a man in connection with the Clark Street Beach shooting on April 12 that left 18-year-old Jacquis Irby dead and his two 15-year-old brothers injured.

Served tapas style, it features an extensive drinks selection and dishes inspired by several Latin American cuisines including dishes like empanadas and albondigas. Viveros said the flautas is one of his favorites.

“Everything we’re serving is [Viveros’] dreams, his ideas, his blood, sweat and tears,” Aitelhadj said.

Aitelhadj said he is grateful to their interior designer Jessica Rivera for incorporating elements of her own Latine background into the space. Rivera hails from Puerto Rico.

Rivera’s vision is behind the restaurant’s colorful murals, ceiling hanging chairs and umbrellas inspired by Fortaleza Street in Puerto Rico.

In a Saturday news release, EPD stated it arrested 20-year-old Jalen Murray in Evanston. The police accused Murray of firing the gun and charged him with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

After its initial investigation with the North Regional

“The umbrellas, for example, are a touch of what she would see when going back home to San Juan,” Aitelhadj said. “The interior is made up of things she naturally gravitates to.”

Last week, the restaurant provided food to Northwestern’s multicultural sketch comedy and improv group Out Da Box for their spring show.

Weinberg freshman Thomas Alemu is part of ODB and he said he loved the food.

“It was really good. I really liked their tacos especially,” Alemu said.

Aitelhadj said the restaurant is more than happy to partner with more Northwestern clubs in the future.

Violent Crimes Task Force, EPD determined a verbal altercation led to the shooting.

“The altercation escalated with at least one offender firing a handgun into the group containing the victims. After the shooting, the offenders immediately fled the area,” the news release stated.

EPD said Murray was scheduled to appear in bond court Saturday and that the investigation is still in

Mas Salud offers a 20% discount for Northwestern students and a 15% discount for faculty upon verification of a university ID.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused staffing and financial difficulties for Salud Kitchen in its original Chicago location. Now, the owners are more confident in the future success of their new location.

“With time, work, and a lot of effort, we were able to get this place going,” Aitelhadj said. “We went through hell in the first location, so we’re built to take this on.” aliyabekshenova2026@u.northwestern.edu progress.

In the two weeks since the shooting, Mayor Daniel Biss released a statement with the city’s “violence prevention steps.” Those include an increased police presence around the lakefront and downtown areas and more community support programs.

Shannon Tyler